TNAG-1740-FCO40-2456-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-UK-Parliament-1988 — Page 42

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PARLIAMENTARY LIAISON GROUP MEETING: TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER

Present:

Mr Tim Eggar MP

Mr R Makepeace

Mr D Holt, PRU

Mr David Harris MP

Mr Tony Durant MP

Mr Robert Key MP

Mr Douglas French MP

Mr Andrew Mitchell MP

1.

Mr Key reported that Cambodia still bubbled on as a talking point at Westminster. On Southern Africa Mr Key spoke of a "Western Goal Group" (?) he had come across at the Party Conference in Brighton. This body was hostile to Government policy on Southern Africa, focussing particularly

on Mrs Chalker.

No sign get. jed..

2. Mr Harris said the question of Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong still preoccupied many Members. A Times article last week by Bernard Levin had brought more attention to bear on the issue, and the Opposition could be expected to be active on the matter.

3. Mr French reported on a recent meeting the Chief* Minister of Gibraltar had had with Conservative back benchers. Considerable bad feeling had been evident over Government handling of Gibraltar pensions. The Chief Minister had not been happy with what Mrs Chalker had told him about the British Government's view; although he did hold the previous Chief Minister and the shutting of the Gibraltar border as chiefly responsible. The Gibraltar Government were threatening to stop pension payments on 15 December. Mr Eggar said it was time for some education.

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